U.S. weighs total blockade on Cuban oil imports

The White House is weighing a total blockade of Cuba's oil imports among options aimed at driving regime change in the Caribbean country, U.S. media outlet Politico reported Friday.

The plan has been backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the report, citing people familiar with the matter.

No final decision has been made so far, but related debates are ongoing within the Trump administration, according to the report.

The loss of Venezuelan oil shipments -- and the resale of some of those cargoes that Havana used to obtain foreign currency -- has already throttled Cuba's economy, said the report, adding that a total blockade of oil imports into Cuba could "spark a humanitarian crisis", a possibility that has led some in the administration to push back against it. The Wall Street Journal previously reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration is plotting to overthrow the Cuban government by year-end. Following a large-scale attack on Venezuela on Jan 3, which resulted in the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump hinted Cuba might be the next target, threatening that Cuba would struggle to hold on if it lost Venezuelan oil supplies.

On Jan 11, Trump said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba, and suggested that the island should strike a deal with Washington, ramping up pressure on Cuba.

In response, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Cuba does not attack or threaten, but it is ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.

Cuba imports about 60 percent of its oil supply, according to the International Energy Agency. Venezuela had been Cuba's main crude supplier before the U.S. seizure of Maduro.

U.S. weighs total blockade on Cuban oil imports

U.S. weighs total blockade on Cuban oil imports

U.S. weighs total blockade on Cuban oil imports

The fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, concluded on Wednesday.

Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders attended the closing meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

A resolution on the work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on the report on how the proposals from political advisors have been handled since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals, and a political resolution of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee were approved at the meeting.

Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech.

The CPPCC is an integral part of China's system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

The annual session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee opened on March 4 this year.

China's top political advisory body concludes annual session